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Developing Crash Support Programs

Active Transportation Alliance
• Been around since 1985 (formerly Chicagoland Bicycle Federation) • More than 7,000 members • Advocate for better biking, walking and transit in Chicagoland

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org 2

Why are Crash Support Programs Important?

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org

The problem
• People are getting into crashes • Motorists are covered by insurance companies • Cyclists and pedestrians are unsure of their rights and next steps

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org 4

The role of the advocacy organization
• People inevitably call looking for assistance/information • Social Media mentions: “What is ____ doing about this” • Most of our missions entail words “biking,” “walking” and “safety”

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org 5

Barriers to helping victims
• Drain on resources • Concern over discouraging people to bike and walk • Want to work on preventing the problem • Liability

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org 6

Active Trans’ Crash Support Program

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org

Active Trans Programs
• Named a staff point person for crash victim assistance in 2008 • Partnered with attorneys who specialize in representing bicyclists and pedestrians • Developed a crash support group in 2008 • Developed the crash support hotline in 2010 • Hosts legal clinics • Work with State’s Attorney’s offices and police departments

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org 8

Crash Support Group
• Created a safe space for people to talk through the emotional aftermath of a crash • Facilitated by a licensed professional • Championed by a volunteer • Lots of media interest • Mediocre attendance – currently on hiatus

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org 9

Crash Support Hotline
• Dedicated phone number people can call when they are in a crash • Provide post crash resources • Calls answered by 23 trained volunteers • Word of mouth is the most popular way people find out about it

Benefits
• 105 calls in first year (est. 7/2010) • 275 calls to date • Volunteers are now experts in the community • Online forums regularly refer people to the hotline • Building awareness which should result in a higher level of reporting • Efficiency

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org 12

More benefits
• A tangible program people understand and appreciate • Fostered relationships with states attorney's office, law enforcement and attorneys • Donations from attorneys, victims and others that care about the program • Listed in the City of Chicago Pedestrian Plan

How to start a hotline
• Coordinate Logistics
– Volunteer sign up timeslots
• Doodle is a great tool

– Secure cell phone
• prepaid is nice at first

– Strategy for voicemails
• Google Talk to log calls/voicemails

– Record voicemail that gives onsite advice and promised call by time

• Identify/recruit attorney partners

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org 18

How to start a hotline
• Marketing
– “Save this number in your phone and pass it on” – Stickers – Business cards – Radio ads

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org 19

A note on attorneys...
• Come up with a system for accepting them to the list and stick to it • Use them when you have questions about laws • Cultivate relationships to develop them into major donors • Encourage them to talk about their involvement with your organization to their clients

Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit.

www.activetrans.org 20

Long term goal
We hope there is a time when there are so few crashes that a program like this is unnecessary. Until then – we're here to help.